• Zhu Xinrui^*
  Peking University

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of commercial horror games from the 1970s to the 1990s, based on the genre definitions of horror games by Bernard Perron, Richard Rouse, and Carl Therrien, as well as the community consensus reflected in contemporary gaming magazines. Using the framework of art history to describe, interpret, and evaluate these games, the paper seeks to establish a detailed account of significant early horror games. Drawing from primary sources such as game content, player experiences, and media reviews, the paper traces key milestones in the development of the genre, including games regarded as pivotal, while also exploring lesser-known titles within this period. The paper aims to provide a comprehensive retrospective of early horror games and investigate the shift from merely observing horror to fully embracing it within the genre.

https://doi.org/10.64560/43607556

Keywords